Johanna Malivhusa, a recycler from Limpopo, is determined to dispel misconceptions about this profession, which is dominated by men, while also creating additional jobs. Malivhusa revealed in an interview with SA Good News that she has grown and changed since joining Zama-Zama in 2008. The Zulu word “zama-zama,” which means “one who hustles,” is used to characterise rubbish pickers and recyclers who work in the unorganised sector. She is currently employed with Zama-Zama Recycling, a buy-back center in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, as the Cullet Manager.
Malivhusa added that this organisation has changed her life and the lives of other women who are similar to her. Her daily responsibilities include managing the gathering, washing, and sorting of cullet, or crushed glass, prior to its sale to glass producers.
According to the article, Malivhusa is also crucial in preserving and expanding glass collections. In this capacity, she interacts with clients and persistently conveys the significance of the organisation.
In addition to gathering materials from various locations such as restaurants, bars, and taverns, Zama-Zamas also sift, crush, and then sell glass to glass makers.
According to the article, collectors usually don’t have a job and depend on the money they get from selling glass to buy-back centres across the nation.
In South Africa, the producer responsibility organisation for glass packaging is the Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) NPC.
It is acknowledged that TGRC has been essential to the establishment and upkeep of buy-back centres throughout South Africa, and that it still is.
“The organization offers business advise on how to operate a successful buy-back centres as well as skip bins, scales, collection bags, wheelie bins, gloves, and goggles,” it was stated in the article.
Furthermore, the article disclosed that four thousand glass banks had been established nationwide to facilitate the collection of glass.
For many years, we have been able to rely on TGRC. Their assistance has been crucial to our buy-back centre’s expansion and survival, according to Johanna.
Editor’s note: Recycling of bottles and other materials can create job opportunities and provide necessary skills which can have people employed. This woman, Johanna Malivhusa, is now a Cullet Manager at a Zama-Zama buy-back centres in downtown Johannesburg.
Description: Limpopo born Johanna Malivhusa is determined to dispel misconceptions about this profession, which is dominated by men, while also creating jobs for young people in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project manager: Do4SA